Get ready for more electric car charging stations

In a few years, you may have an easier time getting around in your Nissan Leaf or Tesla Model S,
according to a
new report that projects rapid growth in electric car charging stations.

IMS Research says the world will have 10.7 million of the stations by 2020, an increase from
135,000 in 2011. The research firm, which is part of IHS, says its estimate is based on the
expectation that businesses and the government will pour money into the stations to meet rising
demand from consumers.

“Sales of hybrid and electric vehicles are set to continue apace over the next 10 years,"
Alastair Hayfield, associate director at IMS Research, said in a statement. "While volumes may not
reach the levels imagined in the hype of 2009, it is clear that there needs to be charging
infrastructure in place to support this change in mobility."

Supporters of all-electric vehicles have said that a lack of charging infrastructure is one of
their chief obstacles. They talk about a
"chicken and egg" problem, in which consumers are reluctant to buy electric
cars because of a lack of charging stations, and companies are reluctant to install charging
stations because so few people drive electric cars.

If the actual number of stations is anything close to the IMS estimate, it would indicate that
the chicken and egg problem has largely been solved.